Wickr

What is Wickr?

Wickr is an enterprise-grade secure messaging and collaboration platform that provides end-to-end encrypted communications for businesses, government agencies, and security-conscious individuals. Founded in 2012 by a team of security experts and acquired by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2021, Wickr has established itself as a trusted solution for organizations requiring the highest levels of communication security. The platform is used by government agencies, military organizations, and enterprises where data protection is paramount.

What distinguishes Wickr from consumer encrypted messengers is its focus on enterprise security requirements and compliance. While apps like Signal and WhatsApp serve individual privacy needs, Wickr provides administrative controls, retention policies, audit capabilities, and compliance features that organizations need. All messages are end-to-end encrypted with forward secrecy, and the platform is designed so that even Wickr (now AWS) cannot access message content.

Wickr’s acquisition by AWS has positioned it as Amazon’s secure communication solution for enterprise and government markets. The platform offers multiple tiers from free personal use to enterprise deployments with full administrative control. For organizations handling sensitive information – from law firms to defense contractors to healthcare providers – Wickr provides the security infrastructure needed to communicate confidently while meeting regulatory requirements.

Key Features

• End-to-End Encryption: All communications encrypted with perfect forward secrecy
• Ephemeral Messaging: Messages automatically expire and are cryptographically deleted
• Secure File Sharing: Share encrypted files up to 5GB with expiration controls
• Voice and Video Calls: Encrypted one-on-one and group calls
• Screen Sharing: Secure screen sharing for remote collaboration
• Enterprise Controls: Administrative policies, user management, and compliance settings
• Retention Policies: Configurable message retention to meet compliance requirements
• Federation: Connect with users across different Wickr networks
• Bot Integration: Add bots for workflow automation
• Audit Logging: Detailed logs for compliance and security monitoring

What’s New

Wickr continues evolving under AWS ownership:

• AWS Integration: Deeper integration with AWS services and infrastructure
• Enhanced Video: Improved video calling quality and reliability
• Better Admin Tools: Enhanced enterprise administration capabilities
• Performance Updates: Faster message delivery and sync
• Compliance Features: Additional compliance and audit capabilities
• Security Updates: Ongoing cryptographic and security enhancements
• Cross-Platform Improvements: Better experience across all platforms
• Gov Cloud: Government-specific deployment options

System Requirements

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 200 MB for installation
• Internet: Required for messaging

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 10.14 or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon
• RAM: 4 GB minimum
• Storage: 200 MB for installation

Linux

• Distribution: Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian-based
• Architecture: x64
• RAM: 4 GB minimum

Mobile

• iOS: Version 13.0 or later
• Android: Version 8.0 or later
• Storage: 150 MB for app

How to Install Wickr

Personal Use (Wickr Me)

1. Visit wickr.com or app stores
2. Download Wickr Me for your platform
3. Install and create account
4. Add contacts by Wickr ID
5. Start secure messaging

Enterprise (AWS Wickr)

1. Contact AWS or Wickr sales
2. Set up organization account
3. Configure admin policies
4. Deploy to users via MDM or direct download
5. Configure federation and integrations

# Wickr tiers:
# Wickr Me: Free personal encrypted messaging
# AWS Wickr: Enterprise features, admin controls

# Enterprise deployment:
# - Centralized user management
# - Policy enforcement
# - Retention configuration
# - Audit logging
# - SCIM provisioning

# Security configuration:
# - Set message expiration defaults
# - Configure burn-on-read
# - Enable/disable features per policy
# - Configure compliance retention

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Enterprise-Grade Security: Designed for organizations with serious security requirements
• AWS Backing: Amazon ownership provides stability and infrastructure investment
• Compliance Ready: Retention policies and audit logs meet regulatory requirements
• Ephemeral Messages: True message expiration with cryptographic deletion
• Admin Controls: Granular policy enforcement for enterprise deployments
• Video Calling: Encrypted voice and video conferencing included
• Free Personal Tier: Wickr Me provides free secure messaging for individuals

Cons

• Smaller Network: Fewer users than consumer messengers like Signal
• Enterprise Focus: Personal tier has fewer features than competitors
• Closed Source: Unlike Signal, Wickr’s code isn’t fully open source
• AWS Ownership: Some privacy advocates concerned about Amazon connection
• Complexity: Enterprise features add complexity for simple use cases

Wickr vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Wickr?

Wickr is ideal for:

• Government Agencies: Organizations requiring FedRAMP-compliant secure communications
• Defense Contractors: Companies handling sensitive defense-related information
• Legal Firms: Law practices needing attorney-client privilege protection
• Healthcare Organizations: HIPAA-compliant secure communication needs
• Financial Services: Regulated industries requiring audit trails and compliance
• Security-Conscious Enterprises: Any organization prioritizing communication security

Wickr may not be ideal for:

• Consumer Users: Signal offers similar security with larger user base
• Small Teams: Enterprise features may be overkill for small groups
• Open Source Advocates: Those requiring fully open source solutions
• Budget-Limited: Enterprise tier has significant costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wickr owned by Amazon?

Yes, AWS acquired Wickr in 2021. The platform now operates as AWS Wickr for enterprise customers. Amazon has invested in developing Wickr for government and enterprise use cases, including achieving FedRAMP authorization. The free Wickr Me continues for personal use, while AWS Wickr serves organizational needs with additional features and AWS integration.

How does Wickr compare to Signal for security?

Both provide end-to-end encryption, but they target different users. Signal is fully open source, privacy-focused, and designed for consumers. Wickr provides enterprise features like admin controls, compliance retention, and audit logging that Signal doesn’t offer. Security-wise, both are strong, but Wickr’s closed-source components reduce transparency compared to Signal.

What happened to Wickr Pro?

Wickr Pro, the previous enterprise offering, has been transitioned to AWS Wickr following the acquisition. Existing Wickr Pro customers have migrated to AWS Wickr, which provides enhanced features and AWS integration. The product remains enterprise-focused with similar functionality but now benefits from AWS infrastructure and development resources.

Can Wickr be used for HIPAA compliance?

Yes, AWS Wickr can be configured for HIPAA compliance when properly deployed with appropriate policies. The end-to-end encryption, audit logging, and retention controls support healthcare regulatory requirements. Organizations should work with their compliance teams to configure Wickr appropriately and may need a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with AWS.

Is Wickr Me still free?

Yes, Wickr Me remains free for personal use, providing encrypted messaging, voice calling, and ephemeral messages. It’s suitable for individuals wanting secure communication without enterprise features. AWS Wickr’s enterprise tiers have subscription costs, but the basic personal encrypted messaging remains available at no charge.

Final Verdict

Wickr occupies a unique position as an enterprise-focused secure messenger backed by AWS’s infrastructure and resources. For organizations requiring serious communication security with administrative controls and compliance capabilities, Wickr provides features that consumer-focused encrypted messengers cannot match. The platform’s adoption by government agencies and defense contractors speaks to its security credentials.

The AWS acquisition provides stability and development resources while raising questions for privacy purists about Amazon involvement. For enterprise use cases where the alternative is unencrypted tools like Slack or Teams, Wickr offers a compelling security upgrade. The compliance features, retention controls, and audit capabilities address real organizational requirements.

Wickr is highly recommended for enterprises, government agencies, and regulated industries requiring secure communications with administrative control. The free Wickr Me serves individuals wanting ephemeral messaging, though Signal offers similar security with a larger user base. For organizations serious about communication security and compliance, AWS Wickr provides enterprise-grade capabilities with the backing of Amazon’s cloud infrastructure.